Early-onset Schizophrenia

Early-onset Schizophrenia

What Works

Schizophrenia is a major psychiatric illness that calls for careful, often complex and lifelong treatment. A combination of therapies is usually necessary to effectively manage the disease. Since there is no known cure for schizophrenia, treatment is aimed at reducing the severity of the disorder’s impact on life and helping the child manage symptoms.

 

What Seems to Work

 

Medication

According to National Alliance on Mental Illness, the following second generation antipsychotics are FDA approved for early onset schizophrenia in youth ages 13-17: rispiridone (Resperidol), aripipazole (Abilify), quetiapine (Seroquel) and olanzapine (Zyprexa). Several other medications are often used off-label to treat schizophrenia.

 

• Individual Psychotherapy
• Family Psychotherapy and Support
• Focused on coping with the stress and daily life challenges brought on by schizophrenia and reducing symptoms.
• Helps to improve family functioning, problem-solving, communication skills, and decrease relapse rates.
• Social and Academic Skills Training
• Includes social skills training, problem-solving, and self-help skills.

 

What Does Not Work

• Psychodynamic Therapy
• May be harmful for this population.